"Mel" wrote
I've just taken possession of an allotment and if anyone is interested you
can see photos he
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/melanie...key/allotment/

It's a mess, as you can see, plus I have the challenge of there being a
damp, dark woodland ravine adjoining the plot.

I want the allotment to be pretty as well as productive, so I'm thinking
about growing a few appropriate plants in the woodland area. I'm thinking
English bluebells, foxgloves, cyclamen and ferns.

I've found a website that sells a woodland seeds mixture including ragged
robin, pignut, ramsons, foxgloves, primroses, bluebells, bellflower,
selfheal, meadowsweet and various wild grasses (I could post the URL but I
don't want to be accused of spamming!)

Would these seeds be okay, or are they "weeds" that don't belong anywhere
near a cultivated allotment?

Welcome to the allotments Mel, great fun if you have the time (that should
be, are prepared to make the time). :-)

Did all that old plastic and carpet come off your plot? If so the ground
will be in need of a good dig to let some air in (and check the pH it might
have gone acidic). I sympathise as we have had the same problem recently,
half buried old rotten carpet is a filthy pain and half rotten plastic,
worse.
We found a 20 metre by 1 metre brick path 6 inches under our new one as
well!

You can usually grow what you like on a allotment but check the bylaws and
more importantly check with other allotment holders nearby, they may object
to "weeds" on your plot infesting theirs and you could find yourself thrown
off if enough complain!
Be wary of the advice given by others until you see their plots and
therefore know if they are truly knowledgeable. Find out who your Allotment
Rep is as they will have the ear of the Council for work that needs doing
and they also probably attend meetings with your Council so they know what
is going on. Your Council will probably provide a Skip if one is needed for
all the rubbish, ask your rep.

That tree would not be difficult to fell, and I would certainly try, it will
rob your plot of a lot of water and nutrients and the roots will make it
difficult to cultivate. Unless it has a preservation order on it, bit small
for that, just remove it yourself, if you can't get rid of the wood them
make a wood pile at the side for the insects etc.

Most importantly, have fun.

--
Regards
Bob
In Runnymede, 17 miles West of London